Two Pirates Venezuelan League pitchers, Roman Carrasco and Luis Figuera (or "Figueroa") have been suspended for failing drug tests. Carrasco probably isn't a prospect, but Figueroa/Figuera might be; he's only 17 and had pitched very well in the VSL, with 37 strikeouts and 10 walks in 46.2 innings and a 3.09 ERA. Obviously, the idea of a 17-year-old Venezuelan kid doping in order to play well enough to make it to the states is a sad one indeed. Anyway, both their seasons are over.

-P- In other prospect news, Cole White and Chris Simmons of the State College Spikes will have to report for Army service. White had been the Spikes' best player by a wide margin, so the Pirates must be disappointed. I'm not sure what else to say about this without risking the thread becoming a political debate. It's uncertain whether either of these guys will return.